Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-02-19
Difficulties n, Assisting Labor.

A careful student of social and
economic problems, who has given
much attention to the relations of
employers and workmen, contributes
the following article to the discussion
which is now engaging so large a
share of public attention:
That capital is in danger from the
unintelligent efforts of labor to i'm
prove it's condition is evident to all.
That some radical cure must be
applied is also certain. The import
ant question is-How shall capital
direct its efforts in order to avoid the
impending evil, and, at the same time,
prevent recurrence of the present
labor trouble? The efforts of all EN-.
ployers of labor is directed toward Sc
curing competence. In its most
modest form the desire is to secure
the comforts of life for the present
and put by q sufficient surplus to
provide for the traditional rainy day
and old age. The support of the
family and the education of the chill
dren are included in this. This
should be alike the aim of both en-
ployer and workman. Unfortunately
in the present condition of the labor
market, it is beyond the reach of the
workman. So far beyond his reach
has it passed that the theory of the
trade union does not seem to con-
template such a possibility. The
foreign element which is flowing into
the country apparently does not
dream of anything beyond getting a
large price for the fewest possible
hours of the most indolent kind Of
labor. 1t is to be confessed that on
account of these things the greatest
obstacle to benefting the working
man is himself. Nevertheless, capital
must, in self defence, undertake the
task. Capital, instead Of confirming
its thought and labor entirely to il
own immediate interest must embraces
its elnroyecs N its schemes !,'r l'o'ei
making. In one sense there Mus, he'
cooperation, but it Will be necessarily
one-sided. Nothing is 10 he expect
ed from the men, as they a'e not
likely to be grateful. Capital must
set before itself the task OF making
80 much money that its employees
will have the comforts Of life sai:.hir
for their station have their chi!drcr
fairly educated, and be taken care Of
when age or illness prevents them
from further labor. In the working
mans own scheme the comforts
are compressed in working =
hours per day and receiving pay
for 10 hours, and being paid for
every day whether he works or no.
AS a rule, it may be assumed l!;at the
workman does not know what he
wants, nor is he able to m&uage his
own income to the best advantage.
The task of thinking and working
for labor is undoubtedly most thank
less one. 1t is rendered so By the
preiudices and fooljshness oflahor, on
one hand, and capitals fraudulent at
tempts at benevolence, on the other
The effort to improve the condition
OF the WorklnSman must De genuine
and present real advantages to him.
1t cannot be an attempt to get some
thing for nothing. Capital cannot
say TO labor, 81 will take you all into
partnership with me, and tor the
benefit of the concern l expect you
to labor 300 hours extra; in return
for THE / will pay You out of the
profits, if any there be, Sc for your
extra work." Such games as that
have been tried repeatedly il this
and other cities and failed. The in
surance scheme of the Pennsylvania
railroad was of this kind. 1t had
only the good of the company at
heart, and was perfectly regardless
of the men. Much was expected,
CONCLUDED on fourth column, this page.l